Marla Aviva Bentley, Soprano

A versatile performer and educator, Marla Aviva Bentley is a native of Metro Detroit.  She performs frequently as a soloist with the Cantata Academy Chorale, under the direction of Dr. Michael Mitchell. Bentley also sings with the Comic Opera Guild, under the direction of Adam Aceto, where she has recorded 24 operettas. Ms. Bentley has sung with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings, Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, and Pontiac Oakland Symphony. Bentley has also served on the faculty of the Michigan Opera Theatre as Director of the Summer Operetta Workshop.

Recordings of note include her role as Kate in It Happened in Nordland, Daisy in The Rainbow Girl, and the title role in Miss Dolly Dollars.  Other favorite roles include Terentia in Captain Lovelock, and the title role in Iolanthe.  Bentley has sung soprano solos in the Faure Requiem, Mozart Vesperae Solennes de Confessore, Pergolesi Stabat Mater, Haydn Missa Sancti Nicolai, Bernstein Mass, and Britten Ceremony of Carols.

At Temple Beth El in Bloomfield Hills, Bentley serves as Cantorial Soloist under the direction of Cantor Rachel Gottlieb.  Bentley is a member of the Guild of Temple Musicians, an affiliate of the American Conference of Cantors.  Bentley also serves as a section leader for the Adult and Professional Choirs and teaches Sunday School music and works with the Youth Choir. 

Marla Aviva Bentley received her Bachelor of Music Education with Honors in Voice at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where she studied with Daniel Washington.  Currently she is pursuing a Master of Music degree in Vocal Pedagogy at Oakland University, Rochester, where she studies with Nadine Washington.  Bentley is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.  In addition to her performances and work at Temple Beth El, Bentley teaches a private voice studio in Canton of more than 35 students.